Letting Go of Worry: How to Trust God and Find Peace

My relationship with God is a work in progress.  I admit to having control issues and being slow to trust.  Through prayer and scripture study, which includes writing these blog posts, I am working to increase my Faith so I can release control and Trust in God.

In my post Salt and Worry, I shared concerns related to high blood pressure readings that have occurred at recent medical appointments.  As a result, I have been trying to reduce my salt intake in case the increase blood pressure is not related to "white coat syndrome" as one of my providers suggested.  

Another source of anxiety and fear for me is driving.  I wrote this in Faith Over Fear - Driving Edition and it is something that I work on every time I get behind the wheel.  There is a tunnel of trees that I drive through when I go back and forth to Lewis Center on Sundays for my women's meeting.  It's beautiful but scary because deer come out of the woods into the road.  During my last drive, I prayed an extra "Jesus Take the Wheel" before going into the tunnel as I felt uneasy.  A deer was taking a stroll across the road at the end of the tunnel. Obviously, I cautiously checked to see if there were any others before increasing my speed out of the tunnel.  I also did something I wouldn't have normally done and that was drive with my tire pressure light on.  The temperature has been up and down like a see-saw so I suspected that was what caused my light to come on.  My husband checked my tires and topped off the air.

I have also written Pray About Everything!  I am making prayer more of a habit because God wants to hear from me and help me with my concerns.  I pray for God to be with me throughout my work day and even Crossfit class!  I've prayed for God to be with my husband has he worked through some challenging projects.  I prayed for my son during his college mid-term exams.

I need to release control and trust God's will for me.  As a project manager, we don't like "unknown unknowns" so this has been tough for me.  I will keep praying that God's Will be done in my life.

Resources:

Ryan Robinson Blogging Tools

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God’s Promises: What It Means to Be Blessed and Kept

Life can bring moments of deep loneliness. We may feel God has left us all alone. Yet, He is always with us, even in hard times. People around the world face real struggles. Many lack basics like food and clean water. We often take these things for granted each day.

Having clean water at home is a true gift. Not everyone gets to enjoy such ease. Think about those who walk miles for water. We should talk to God through prayer. Share what's in your heart with Him. He wants to hear from you, always.

Sometimes, prayer feels hard. We may not know what to say at all. God still accepts us as we are. He values our honest words, big or small. He knows what is in our hearts already. Your honest expression is what He seeks.

This prayer is from Our Daily Verse:

"Heavenly Father,

As this new day dawns, I come to You in worship, seeking Your blessing and guidance. Strengthen me, Lord, and keep me in good health as I journey through today, trusting in Your promise to care for those who honor You.

Let my life be a reflection of my devotion to You, filled with acts of kindness, words of truth, and deeds that glorify Your name. May my faith in You be the cornerstone of all I do, bringing light and hope to those around me.

In the loving embrace of Your grace, I pray. Amen."

Related blog posts:

God as our Companion and Prayer Partner

Pray about Everything!

Giving Thanks in ALL Circumstances

Resources:

Ryan Robinson Blogging Tools

Our Daily Verse Prayer of the Day

Keeping Peace: Supporting Friends Across the Political Divide

Tuesday, November 5, 2024 marks an important day in the United States—Election Day. This day is significant for many citizens who are eager to have their voices heard in the democratic process. Some individuals have chosen to cast their votes early at polling locations, taking advantage of the flexibility this option provides. Others prefer to wait until the actual Election Day to participate in what is often regarded as a community event. My family, however, takes a different approach. We opt for absentee ballots. The demands of our work obligations and school schedules make it difficult for us to visit the polls in person.

This morning, I received an unexpected email from my manager. It stated that we would be working remotely on Tuesday due to concerns about traffic disruptions caused by the elections. This decision was surprising, but it made sense considering the potential for crowded roads and delays. Working from home will certainly help us avoid the hassle of commuting on such a busy day.

As the election draws near, my anticipation for its conclusion grows. I feel overwhelmed by the barrage of political advertisements that seem to be everywhere. From loud yard signs to an influx of mail, and even extensive Internet and television ads, the constant campaigning feels unending. A friend who works at the post office shared that they have noticed a significant increase in their workload because of all the political mailings. This has become a common experience for many in my community. In our household, we do not engage with these mailings; they go straight into the recycle bin. This routine adds to the burden for the waste collectors, who already handle a heavy load. I look forward to a time when the air is clear of political messaging and the focus can return to normal life.

The above graphic is from Grateful Living and arrived in my email the day before Election Day but I thought it went nicely with the scripture I chose.  

I'll wrap up today's post linking to A Prayer for peace and justice on Election Day - the author says it better than I ever could. 

Resources:

Ryan Robinson Blogging Tools

Grateful Living

The Presbyterian Outlook - Election Day Prayer source

How to Turn Tough Times into Moments of Gratitude

 

Give thanks in all circumstances?  This is easier typed than done.

Roughly a month ago, my son drove home from college for to attend a scout event with his Dad for the weekend.  When I walked in from 4 PM Crossfit and literally walked into my son, I was confused.  My husband said they needed to be in Newark by 5 or 5:30 so they were very much off schedule and where the heck was my son's SUV?

My son stopped at the gas station near our home to fill up before heading to Newark; there was so much stuff to take it required two SUVs. Unfortunately, my son's SUV died at the gas pump and needed to be towed to our house.  A local mechanic used a code reader and said the transmission could not be found.  That's a pretty big piece of equipment to lose!

The tow truck dropped off our son's SUV and we pushed it into place. The guys finally got on their way over an hour after they were supposed to have arrived.  While having a dead vehicle is frustrating, I am thankful because my son was safe.  The breakdown did not occur until he was off the road.  I don't think I need to explain to anyone how scary it is to think "what if" the SUV had given up as my son was driving from Bowling Green to Plain City.

My husband had a business trip so making any calls about getting it fixed had to wait.  A week after my son's SUV had died at the gas station, there is a knock on the door from the police while I'm at 4 PM Crossfit.  Someone hit the our son's SUV.  Ugh, not something else!  Once again, I am thankful because no one was hurt other than the vehicle in the crash.  We did find out when our son was home for fall break that the crash killed the battery.  The battery compartment happens to be behind the area that was hit.

It is well over a month later and our son's SUV is still dead. My husband was able to jump start it enough to put it into neutral to move it into our driveway.  I'd planned to help push the SUV but it was already moved by the time I got home from my Sunday AA meeting.  I have no idea what the next steps are going to be.  I'm thankful that no one reported the SUV to the police during the time that it was parked on the street.  While the police were involved with taking the report and taking a call from my husband as incorrect insurance information was provided, they could have ticketed us for having the vehicle parked without movement for too long.

I hope my story demonstrates how to look for ways to be thankful in all circumstances even if it is not always easy to do so.

Resources:

Ryan Robinson Blogging Tools

A Typical Saturday with Words and Photos

 

I decided to surprise my readers with a bonus post filled with photos that capture a typical Saturday in my life. Each weekend begins the same way for me. I always set aside time for scripture reading and prayer. This practice grounds my day and helps me find focus.

After nourishing my spirit, I head to my Crossfit class. The workout energizes me and sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. Once I return home, I tackle the laundry. With the cooler weather arriving, I find myself reaching for more sweatshirts, sweaters, and jeans. This change in clothing means I have an extra load to do today. In addition to my usual clothes, I also need to wash towels.

After completing my chores, I take some time to relax. After lunch, Patty and I snuggle up in my recliner for a much-needed nap. However, Patty feels tired enough to need more sleep, so she decides to head to bed for a longer rest.

Food is important to me, and I am making an effort to eat healthier and include more protein in my meals. Recently, Jon treated me to a protein pizza, which I was excited to try. To complement it, I prepared a fresh salad, topping it with diced chicken and real bacon pieces for added flavor. For lunch, I opted for leftover pasta and meat sauce, which meant I consumed a hefty amount of carbs.

After lunch, I spend some time doing things I enjoy. I watch YouTube videos, sip on water, and read outside, all while keeping my chores in check. This simple routine embodies my Saturdays, filled with balance and comfort. It’s a satisfying way to spend the weekend, combining work and relaxation.

Why Am I Always Tired? Top Reasons You Should Know

 

In recent weeks, I've found myself tired and weary.  

I go to bed fairly consistently 8:30 PM to 6 AM (6:30 AM on weekends as our schedule permits). I do Crossfit classes 4 times a week, I do Crossfit skills in my garage or at open gym once a week, and I have two rest days a week. 

It has been about three weeks since I saw my gynecologist who took me off hormonal birth control.  Google's general answer from artificial intelligence says it could be reduced estrogen.  

I have not reached out to my doctor yet. I'm trying to give it about a month so I don't sound like Chicken Little with claims that the sky is falling. 

I sought more information about exercise recovery and menopause.  I found an article from 2023 by Selene Yeager titled Maximizing Recovery During Menopause. I got into the first paragraph of the article and I'm pretty sure after my Tuesday deadlifts plus Chad training session (10# vest, 500 box step ups), my body was ready to scream "Woah, slow down there sister" especially as I continue reading that the repair crews in our body operate a bit slower with less hormonal support. My body finally got a workout-free day on Thursday.

My doctor emphasized protein during our visit and I've been working to increase my protein.  My husband came home from Kroger earlier this week with pre-made protein shakes, Greek yogurt, protein granola bars, and egg whites.  Jon also picked up some nuts and trail mix for additional protein in case he hadn't bought enough. 

I am hoping that this tired and weary phase is temporary.  I started prepping for the Chad Veteran's Day workout near the time that I saw my doctor and we made medication changes.  Step ups with a 10# weighted vest are a lot harder than the walk or elliptical workout that I'd usually do on Tuesdays.  My knees already told me "NO" to using a 15# plate on the 12 inch box so I've stayed with a 12 inch box. I like to do hard things especially when honoring fallen soldiers so I pray that I can keep on keeping on for the next week or so!

Related Blog Posts:

Chad1000x a Hard Workout with a Strong Message

Change of Life or Life Changes - it is Change Regardless

Is Age Just a Number?

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The Power of Prayer: Connecting with God Every Day

 According to Joyce Meyer's Wake Up to the Word companion is defined as

"One who keeps company with another; one with whom a person frequently associates and converses."

God is a fantastic companion because He wants to hear from us. God will guide us when we're not sure what to do; He wants to partner with us in life.  The Archbishop of Canterbury wrote a excellent article title "Prayer is a partnership with God."

I begin my day with scripture and prayer time using the YouVersion Bible app.  However, my prayers don't stop there.  If I'm struggling with a work task, I pray.  As stated in yesterday's blog post, I pray before and while driving. 

Last night was "Trick or Treat" in our neighborhood.  Honestly, I've grown tired of handing out candy but my husband tells me not to be a mean old lady.  😀 I prayed while handing out candy last night.  We had a couple of trick or treaters who was less than polite with one throwing a fit that I didn't give her candy that matched her dress and another speaking unsavory words instead of "trick or treat."  I'm grateful God was with me as I believe he is why I kept my mouth shut.  When October 2025 rolls around, I'll pray about whether or not I hand out candy.

Thank you, God, for walking alongside me and showing me the way.